How to Cut Back Petunias

Report This Article

How to Cut Back Petunias

Overview

Petunias are a favorite among many gardeners for their ease to grow and abundant blooms throughout the season. Available in various shades of red, pink, white and purple, as well as variegated, petunias bloom in both trumpet-like shapes and the more carnation-like double variety on the ends of their stems. By mid-July, petunias tend to start getting "leggy"--that is, have long, scraggly stems that are unsightly. With a little pruning, petunias perk back up for a late-season show of brilliance.

Step 1

Choose no more than five stems near the middle of your container to begin pruning. Cutting back an annual such as the petunia can take up to a couple of weeks because the shock of being pruned too much will kill the plant. Do so in small increments, allowing a few days of healing between cutting.

Step 2

Snip stems one at a time back 4 or 5 inches, making sure that you leave at least one set of leaves on the stem. Be sure that your shears or scissors are sharp; tearing the plant can cause too big of an injury space and invite disease. Be sure that your shears or scissors are clean to avoid spreading disease from one plant to another. Prune only a few stems--no more than five in a large plant.

Step 3

Allow the plant a few days to rest and heal between each pruning, watering as normal, but wait until the whole pruning job is complete to fertilize.

Step 4

Continue pruning a few stems as described until your plant has been cut back to your satisfaction.

Step 5

Fertilize with a water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer or compost tea when finished pruning. New growth will begin to show quickly.

Things You'll Need

Sharp, clean garden shears or scissors

References

University of Vermont Extension: Pruning Flowers and Other July Gardening Tips

Iowa State Extension: Growing Petunias

Landscape America: Petunias

Who Can Help

Oregon State University Extension: How to Keep Petunias from Becoming Bedragged

Keywords:
container garden, pruning petunias, annual garden

About this Author

Bobbi Keffer attended Kent State University, studying education but soon found her true love to be in the garden. She prides herself on her frugal skills, re-using, recycling, and re-inventing her whimsical style in her home and garden.